During my internship at Etch Materials, a California-based startup developing a process that converts methane into hydrogen and solid carbon without CO₂ emissions, I analyzed pilot-plant data to understand how different process conditions affect performance, efficiency, and cost. I worked with operations and finance teams to connect laboratory results with scaled-up economic analyses. Etch’s mission—to build a more sustainable industrial base using clean chemistry—resonated with me. The work was technical and data-driven, yet always tied to a clear climate goal. Being part of a small team trying to prove that industrial decarbonization can work in practice was both challenging and motivating.

The internship allowed me to apply much of what I learned in Columbia’s Climate and Society program. I used systems thinking to understand how process variables interact and sustainable finance frameworks to analyze the economics of scaling the technology. My data analysis background helped me organize pilot results and communicate trends clearly for decision-making. The most valuable skill was bridging disciplines: understanding enough of the science to collaborate with engineers and enough of the business side to translate findings into investor language. Working at Etch showed me how my academic training fits into real-world climate innovation and made me more confident about my place at that intersection.

A major challenge was operating in the space between science and finance. The process data from the pilot plant were complex, and I had to quickly learn to interpret them without an engineering background. Simultaneously, I needed to convert those results into clear insights for models and presentations. This required extensive collaboration—asking questions, running numbers multiple ways, and being comfortable with uncertainty. I also had to adjust to the pace of a startup, where priorities can shift quickly with new test results or investor needs. I learned to be flexible, communicate clearly, and avoid waiting for perfect information. These challenges turned out to be some of the most valuable parts of the experience.

Working at Etch Materials gave me a front-row view of what it takes to scale a climate technology. I came away with a better understanding of how technical progress, market economics, and storytelling must align for climate innovation to succeed. The experience reaffirmed my desire to work at the intersection of climate technology and finance, helping early-stage solutions secure capital and partners. It showed me that real climate impact comes from the day-to-day work of building something new and making it viable. I left the summer more curious, pragmatic, and motivated to pursue climate solutions that can scale.